A giant electricity cable linking Scotland and Wales would come ashore at a coastal location in Gwynedd under proposals announced this week.

The power cable would connect major Scottish offshore wind farms to the wider UK transmission grid. The link would be capable of carrying up to 2GW of electricity in either direction, enough to power around two million homes.

National Grid has launched the first stage of public consultation in North Wales on proposals for Western Link 2. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

In North Wales the proposals consist of four key elements:

• Approximately 260 km offshore HVDC cable route to a landfall location on the Gwynedd coastline at Caernarfon Bay.
• Approximately 25 km underground HVDC cable from landfall location to a new converter station.
• A new converter station within 2 km of the existing Pentir substation, including an underground cable connection.
• An extension to the existing Pentir substation and associated works to enable connection to the grid.

This is a separate proposal to a the north-south transmission route from Bangor to Swansea - which is also in the early stages of project development.

Demand for electricity is expected to double by 2050 as the way people power their homes, businesses, industry and transport continues to change. To meet this demand more capacity is needed across the electricity network to move that power efficiently and reliably to where it is needed. Western Link 2 would play an important role in Uwchraddio’r Grid / The Great Grid Upgrade, helping to carry more renewable electricity to homes and businesses across Wales and other parts of the UK.

At times, more renewable electricity is generated than the network can carry, meaning clean power cannot be used and generators may be paid to switch off. By increasing capacity and easing these constraints, Western Link 2 would help ensure more clean energy can be used, supporting a more efficient and reliable energy system.

National Grid said the project would support a multi-billion-pound supply chain, creating skilled jobs in North Wales and providing opportunities for Welsh businesses.

Leandro Vacirca, Project Director for National Grid, said: “Western Link 2 will play an important role in delivering the electricity infrastructure Wales needs for a secure and more efficient energy future. As demand grows, it is essential we make better use of renewable energy sources by upgrading the electricity network so that clean energy isn’t wasted.

“We are seeking feedback on early-stage proposals which will give communities and stakeholders the opportunity to influence our plans. Local knowledge is important in the development of Western Link 2 and will help us minimise impacts wherever possible. We also want local communities to benefit from the transition to cleaner, renewable energy through local jobs, skills and supply chain opportunities.”

For more information and to take part in the consultation follow this link. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now